BAD ACTING

ZUMA

        Early the next morning I woke up to a series of texts from Carrie. Directions. The photographers' name.

        Carrie: I'm shooting all day. Come over whenever.

        Carrie: Bring extra clothes, Sandra wants to take a few shots of us together.

        Carrie: Swimsuits!

        Carrie: Khakis and white and blue dress shirts.

        Carrie: White and Blue T-shirts too!!!

        I looked at the time. 5:30 am.

        Jesus Christ.

        Already awake, I climbed out of bed and jumped in the shower. I shoved some clothes into the Louis Vuitton duffle Leah left and headed to Zuma Beach.

        I expected Carrie and a photographer, but when I parked my car in the beach lot and headed towards the ocean I thought I walked into a film shoot. People everywhere. Racks of clothes. Huge lights and silver reflection boards. Carrie sat on a pile of rocks in a light blue dress looking away from the camera to the ocean.

        Carrie sighted me and production halted. Jumping up and yelling my name, Carrie ran over and dragged me to the photographer. I introduced myself and thanked Sandra for squeezing me in.

        Sandra. Thirty-seven, short brown hair. Androgynous. Serious and focused.    

        "I need a shot wearing glasses to add to my headshots," I said, looking around at the crew and the lights.

        "No problem, put on the glasses and go sit over there." The photographer pointed to the rock Carrie recently vacated.

        I dropped the duffle and took out my glasses. Carrie waited next to me and escorted me over to the rock. Sandra photographed me up close for five minutes and then waved me over to look at the photos.

        "These should work, yes?"

        "Yes. Perfect. Thank you so much."

        "Of course, honey, I'll have Sebastian send you the shots next week."

        "Awesome."

        "Would you mind if we used you in a few of Carrie's shots? It will just take an hour or two."

        "Sounds like fun."

        "That's the spirit!"

        Sandra shot us both on the rock finishing up with that series. Carrie in the blue dress and me in khakis, no shirt. The next set we stood in shallow water. Carrie changed into a white Calvin Klein dress. The cold water drenched the bottom of our clothes, and Sandra directed us to hold hands and look in different directions.

        "Did you bring any bathing suits?" Sandra asked while Carrie changed into a bikini. Carrie striped completed naked out of the dress and into the suit behind Sharon while I distracted myself by showing Sharon the two bathing suits I brought. Sharon didn't like the suits and she yelled for someone in the crew. A crew member handed Sharon a pair of short dark blue Dolce&Gabbana trunks.

        "Try these." Sharon held the designer shorts, waiting for me to change.

        I unzipped the khakis and threw them aside. I slipped out of my underwear and stood there naked in front of Sharon, Carrie, and the crew. Sharon handed me the bathing suit and I put it on.

        "Much better."

        Back in the water Carrie and I posed a few more serious shots side by side. More holding hands. Sharon directed us to chase each other and splash around.

        "The water is freezing". Carrie whispered to me, shivering.

        "I know." I agreed. 

      "Okay guys, start chasing each other. Slow movements back and forth so we can get the shot."

        I looked Carrie in the eyes and smiled.  I might not have the chance to do this again.  I guided both my hands through the water and towards Carrie, sending a huge blast of water in her direction.  Shock froze Carrie for a second before she took aim and blasted me back.  A worthy opponent.  

        Carrie and I played in the shallow water for thirty minutes and then Sharon let me go. I waved goodbye to Carrie, grabbed my things and headed for my car. I changed back into my jeans and threw the wet Dolce&Gabbana suit in the back seat. I doubted anybody would notice its absence.